Tinubu Hails Wike, Fubara at Port Harcourt Rally

​PORT HARCOURT — President Bola Tinubu has lauded Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for embracing peace and reconciliation, while showering praise on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his relentless push for infrastructure development nationwide.

​Speaking on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition presidential campaign rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, President Tinubu commended Governor Fubara for demonstrating political maturity and respecting the counsel of elders during the state’s turbulent political history.

​A New Chapter of Peace in Rivers State

​Addressing the massive crowd and the state governor directly, President Tinubu emphasized that Fubara’s choice to pursue peace would yield lasting rewards.

• ​Commitment to Democracy: Tinubu acknowledged Fubara’s cooperation during federal interventions, calling him a committed democrat who upheld peace and stability.
• ​Overcoming Past Divisions: The President noted that the previous political friction was merely a misunderstanding within a political family and expressed gratitude to the governor for keeping the state stable.

​Governor Fubara, reciprocating the gesture, assured the President that Rivers State is fully aligned with the Rainbow Coalition and projected that the state would deliver no fewer than three million votes for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 under Wike’s leadership.

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​Wike Lauded as a Key Development Partner

​Turning his attention to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, President Tinubu hailed him as a vital pillar and development partner of his administration, crediting him with driving impactful infrastructural transformation across the country.

​”Particularly, Nyesom Wike. Nyesom Wike is already a development partner of the Bola Tinubu administration. He’s doing a wonderful job. Committed, very, very hard-working, a man with a vision who combined that with a mission,” Tinubu stated.

​Context of the Reconciliation

​Saturday’s grand rally marks a major milestone in Rivers State politics, officially sealing a reconciliation process following years of intense political friction:

• ​The 2023 Rift: The feud between Wike and his successor, Fubara, erupted in late 2023, centering on control over the state’s political structure and the House of Assembly.
• ​Emergency Rule: The protracted battle led to a brief state of emergency declared by President Tinubu in March 2025, which suspended key state executives before normal governance resumed.

• ​The Rainbow Coalition: By late 2026, both factions completely buried the hatchet, forming the Rainbow Coalition—a cross-party alliance spearheaded by Wike to consolidate support for Tinubu’s 2027 electoral campaign and back consensus candidates like Kingsley Chinda for the state’s upcoming governorship race.

​The vibrant gathering at the Port Harcourt stadium highlights a unified front as political heavyweights reposition Rivers State ahead of the upcoming general elections.